Dehydrated Skin

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Dehydrated skin

Although the term ‘dehydrated skin’ is often used interchangeably with dry skin, and assumed to be the same condition, they are actually two different skin conditions.

Classic dry skin usually feels tight and dry with no signs of oil. Even though the dryness may worsen or improve depending on the climate or season, dry skin usually feels this way year round.

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Signs of Dehydrated Skin


Dehydrated skin is characterized by lack of moisture in the top layer of the skin. Because dehydration is a lack of water, not oil, even oily skin may experience dehydration. Although dehydrated skin may look and feel like dry skin all over the face, this condition actually causes more oil to be produced by the skin in order to make up for the missing water. This in turn can lead to breakouts, irritation, dry patches, and premature aging of the skin. When a person has dehydrated skin, the skin may even feel oily and dry at the same time.

It has been suggested that performing a pinch test on your skin can help to determine if you have dry or dehydrated skin.

If the skin is dehydrated, it loses volume. If you pinch the skin with the index finger and thumb, and it quickly bounces back to normal, it is hydrated. However, if it slowly sinks back down, this is a tell tale signal that the skin is dehydrated.

Causes of Dehydrated Skin

Dehydrated Skin can be caused by many factors such as aging process, environment, lifestyle choices, the use of inappropriate skincare products,ect.

Dehydrated skin caused by unhealty lifestyle

Lifestyle choices, such as fat-free diets, which deprive the body of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), can result in chronic dryness of the skin. Other lifestyle choices that contribute to dehydrated skin are consuming excessive alcohol and smoking. Alcohol decreases the body’s production of anti-diuretic hormone. With a decrease in the anti-diuretic hormone available, your body loses more fluid than normal through increased urination. Therefore, since alcohol dehydrates the body as a whole, the skin being the largest organ in the body naturally experiences the negative effects of this dehydration.

Cigarette smoke contains carbon monoxide, which displaces the oxygen in your skin, and nicotine, which reduces blood flow, leaving skin dry and discoloured. Cigarette smoking also depletes many nutrients, such as vitamin C, which help protect and repair skin damage.

Dehydrated skin caused by environmental factors

Environmental factors may also play a contributing role to dehydrated skin. Prolonged sun exposure, tanning beds, cold winds, air conditioning, forced air heating and low temperatures may all factor into the development of dry skin, thereby contributing to premature aging of the skin and as a result.

Dehydrated skin caused by ageing

With the process of aging, our skin tends to lose the ability to preserve moisture – resulting in the visible loss of firmness, pliability, and plumpness. The fresh and pliable nature of youthful skin can be largely attributed to the high content of water, which diminishes as we age. With age, estrogens and androgens also decrease; resulting in collagen degradation, dryness, loss of elasticity, epidermal atrophy and dehydration of the skin.

Hyaluronic acid is the key molecule involved in preserving skin’s moisture. It is a naturally occurring substance in skin that has the capacity to attract and hold vast amounts of moisture. It works overtime by replenishing skin to enhance a healthy look and feel. The most dramatic chemical change observed as skin ages, is the disappearance of epidermal hyaluronic acid – while it remains present in the dermis. As the epidermis loses this molecule, which is so integral to retaining water molecules, the skin experiences a dramatic loss of skin moisture.

As the ability to produce hyaluronic acid declines with age, the skin becomes prone to increased dryness, sagging, fine lines and wrinkles.

The Sebaceous gland is a small gland in the skin that secretes a lubricating oily matter (sebum) into the hair follicles to lubricate the skin and hair while holding in moisture. The activity of this gland also decreases with age, which is another contributing factor to skin becoming dehydrated.

Dehydrated skin caused by using wrong skincare products

Often, dehydrated skin may also be caused as a result of using skincare products containing harsh chemicals. Particularly ingredients such as denatured alcohol, peppermint, menthol, or fragrances, dry out the surface of the skin, leaving behind the feeling of dehydration. This also stimulates the production of excess oil at the base of the pore, causing the skin to end up oilier and the possibility of clogged pores. Abrasive scrubs and cleansing brushes with stiff bristles may also have this effect as they damage the surface of the skin.

Using the wrong combination of products or using certain products too frequently may also increase the likelihood of developing dehydrated skin. For example, even though an AHA or BHA exfoliant, high-strength vitamin C product, and a high concentration of retinol can have remarkable benefits, for this skin type, using them every day can result in a dehydrated look, with excess oil sitting on top of it.

Dehydrated Skin Treatment

Juvederm is an injectable filler of hyaluronic acid, which helps to reverse the effects of dehydrated skin. At Q Esthetics Laser Clinic , Juvederm injection is performed by experienced physicians and nurses. There is also a wide variety of other anti aging treatments and skin care products, suitable for all skin types, colors and ages. Each is tailored to treat your specific skin conditions and boost and restore hydration to your skin. With so many benefits and great features, it makes sense to call one of our two convenient clinics for a complimentary consultation.

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    Dehydrated Skin Care Toronto

    Here at Q Esthetics Laser Clinic, we offer dehydrated skin solutions to thousands of patients each and every year in Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Thornhill, Brampton, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Markham, Richmond Hill, Woodbridge, Vaughan, Newmarket and other surrounding areas of the GTA. Our experienced medical staff will thoroughly examine your complexion to ensure the right dehydrated skin treatment options are offered to you for your specific needs.
    “With Our BEST, You Look And Feel Your BEST”

    Call one of our two convenient clinics today and book your complimentary consultation to find out how we can assist you.

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